SMFStreicher Mobile Fueling, Inc.                                

800 West Cypress Creek Road, Suite 580

Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33309

 

NEWS RELEASE

 

Contact:          Richard E. Gathright                                      Peter Seltzberg

                        Chairman and Chief Executive Officer          Cameron Associates, Inc.

                        954-308-4200                                                  212-245-8800

 

 

STREICHER MOBILE FUELING ANNOUNCES FINANCIAL RESULTS FOR THE FOURTH QUARTER AND YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2005

AND CONFERENCE CALL FOR TUESDAY, OCTOBER 11

 

 ______________________________________

 

Ft. Lauderdale, FL, October 11, 2005 STREICHER MOBILE FUELING, INC. (NASDAQ: FUEL and FUELW) (the “Company”), a leading provider of  petroleum product distribution services, transportation logistics and emergency response services to the trucking, construction, utility, energy, chemical, manufacturing and government service industries today announced results for the fourth quarter and fiscal year ended June 30, 2005.

 

FOURTH QUARTER RESULTS

 

For the quarter, revenues and gallons delivered increased 64% and 41%, respectively, to $43,527,000 on 20.1 million gallons of fuel delivered, compared to $26,539,000 on 14.3 million gallons of fuel delivered in the comparable period in 2004.  Revenues and gallons increased in the quarter primarily due to the growth of our business, the acquisition of Shank Services on February 18, 2005 and higher prices for fuel.

 

Gross profit for the fourth quarter was $2,302,000, a $1,260,000 or 121% increase over the prior quarter and a $876,000, or 61% increase, over the comparable quarter in 2004, and is the highest quarterly gross profit since the Company became a public company in 1996.  In addition, during the fourth quarter from April through June 2005, gross profit increased an average of 14% each month.  Gross profit was positively impacted by a continuing focus on improving the profitability of existing business, the mix of higher margin services delivered to our customers and the recent Shank Services acquisition.

 

Operating income of $384,000 was a $1,214,000 improvement over the prior quarter, in which the Company experienced expenses related to the Shank Services acquisition, and 22% better than the comparable period in 2004.

 

Net margin of 13.1 cents per gallon was a 30% improvement over the prior quarter and 10% higher than the comparable quarter in 2004.  The net margin increase for the quarter was primarily due to the increase in gross profit which, in part, relates to improved pricing from the services delivered.

EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization- a non-GAAP financial measure) was $766,000 a $768,000 improvement over the prior quarter and a $131,000 or 21% improvement over the comparable quarter in 2004.  In addition, EBITDA continuously improved an average of 76% per month during each of the months from April through June 2005.

 

For the quarter, the Company incurred a net loss of $225,000, or $0.03 per basic and diluted share, vs. a net loss of $57,000, or $0.01 per basic and diluted share, in the comparable quarter in 2004.  The higher net loss was due to increases in selling, general and administrative expenses of $792,000; interest expense of $239,000; and depreciation of $60,000 over the prior year quarter offset by an $876,000 increase in gross profit.  The $792,000 increase in the selling, general and administrative costs over the comparable quarter in the prior year resulted from: (1) the inclusion of $453,000 of expenses related to the operation of Shank Services; (2) $93,000 of additional costs relating to public company reporting requirements; (3) $148,000 of higher credit card fees; and (4) $123,000 of higher administrative payroll costs related to personnel additions required to support our acquisition and diversification strategy.  The net loss incurred in the fourth quarter ended June 2005 was a $1,124,000 improvement over the prior quarter.  In addition, the current quarter net loss reflected month-to-month reductions in the net loss in April and May 2005 and net income of $57,000 in the month of June 2005.

 

FULL YEAR RESULTS

 

For the year ended June 30, 2005, revenues were $135,166,000 on 66.4 million gallons of fuel delivered, compared to $89,997,000 on 54.6 million gallons of fuel delivered in the prior year.  The 50% increase in revenues in the current year relates primarily to an increase in volumes delivered and higher fuel prices as well as revenues from the Shank Services acquisition.  Because the Shank Services acquisition was not effective until late February 2005, the full extent of its continuing impact on the Company’s total revenues is not reflected in the current year revenues.

 

Gross profit of $6,588,000 for the current year increased by $2,290,000, a 53% improvement compared to the prior year.  Of the increase in gross profit, $1,787,000 resulted from higher margins generated from the services provided, including the emergency response services related to the four hurricanes impacting parts of Florida and the southeastern United States in 2004.  Another $800,000 can be attributed to the Shank Services acquisition in February of 2005.  The increase in gross profit was partially offset by $297,000 in accelerated depreciation expense related to the write-down for excess equipment abandoned after reevaluating fleet utilization requirements following the Shank Services acquisition.

 

Operating income for the current year decreased by $218,000 compared to the prior year primarily due to increased expenses, including: (1) Shank Services operating expenses since the acquisition of $703,000; (2) increased credit card fees of $367,000; (3) higher accounting and legal fees associated with public company reporting requirements of $220,000; (4) the write down of certain computer software of $164,000; and (5) depreciation of $351,000.  These increased expenses were partially offset by an increase in net margin of $2,627,000.  When eliminating the $757,000 gain from the extinguishment of debt in the prior year, the current year operating income would have been $539,000 higher than the prior year.

 

Net margin per gallon improved to 12.1 cents per gallon from 9.9 cents per gallon, or a 22% increase compared to the prior year.  This increase resulted from the continued acceptance in the marketplace of higher prices for the services provided by the Company and the increase in the total gallons sold during the current year which decreased the net operating expenses on a per gallon basis.

 

For the current year, EBITDA improved by $295,000 to $2,278,000 from $1,983,000, or a 15% increase, compared to the prior year.  The prior year EBITDA also included the $757,000 gain on the extinguishment of debt and, when excluding this gain, EBITDA for the current year improved by $1,052,000 or 86%.

 

The net loss for the current year was $1,460,000, or $0.19 per basic and diluted share, compared to a $698,000 net loss, or $0.10 per basic and diluted share, in the prior year, including the $757,000 gain on the extinguishment of debt, or an increase of $762,000.  The current year net loss included: (1) $297,000 in accelerated depreciation for the abandonment write-down of 12 units of excess equipment related to the reevaluation of the fleet routing schedules following the Shank Services acquisition; (2) higher sales and marketing expenses of $773,000, including a $367,000 increase in credit card fees; (3) $125,000 in general and administrative expenses and $40,000 in initial integration costs incurred in connection with the Shank Services acquisition; (4) overall higher public company reporting expenses of $220,000; (5) accelerated depreciation and write-down of accounting and information software of $164,000 related to the write-off of software costs for replacing, redesigning and upgrading accounting and information tools and acceleration of depreciation for the shortened useful lives; and (6) interest expense of $1,911,000, of which $372,000 related to the issuance of the Company’s January 2005 Notes, the proceeds of which were partially used to acquire Shank Services.  These increases in expenses were partially offset by an increase in net margin of $2,627,000.

 

RICHARD E. GATHRIGHT, CHAIRMAN, PRESIDENT AND CEO COMMENTED:

 

“We are pleased with our recent acquisitions of Shank Services and H & W and in the growth of our core commercial mobile and bulk fueling business.  We are also pleased that the fundamentals of our business continue to improve.  While the Company incurred a net loss of $1.46 million for the year ended June 30, 2005, $1.35 million of this loss was incurred during the third quarter and principally related to costs incurred in connection with our Shank Services acquisition in February 2005, and our corporate infrastructure initiatives to support the Company’s growth and diversification strategy.  As we grow our operations there may be a difference in the timing of expenditures and the bottom line financial performance resulting from these investments in our future.”

 

“We experienced overall higher volumes and margins along with material increases in our working capital and improvements in our balance sheet.  Cash and cash availability grew to over $9.0 million from $3.8 million this past year.  EBITDA increased by over $1.0 million in this fiscal year when adjusted for the $757,000 gain on extinguishment of debt posted last year.  We expect that our corporate infrastructure initiatives commenced in the third quarter will contribute to improved internal operational performance, as well as reduce the fixed cost of conducting our business.”

 

“The Shank Services and H & W acquisitions provide the Company with an opportunity to make an immediate and meaningful penetration into petroleum lubricants marketing and distribution as well as specialized heavy and ultra-haul transportation services.  H & W has established a major presence in the branded lubricants business and has numerous mature long-term business relationships with high volume customers who rely on its specialized and reliable service.  We intend to emphasize the growth of our lubricants business in both Texas and other national markets.  We also plan to expand the Shank Services heavy and ultra-heavy haul transportation operations through internal growth and the acquisition of additional equipment and customers from existing service providers who will benefit from integrating their business operations with ours.”

 

“With the addition of Shank Services and H & W, the combined Company could generate annualized revenues in excess of $225 million on volumes over 100 million gallons.  We anticipate that our financial performance will improve in the year ending June 30, 2006 with both Shank Services and H & W contributing to growing volumes, revenues, margins, cashflow and profitability.  Coupled with the steady expansion of our existing business and absent unanticipated market or economic developments, the Company’s combined operations should begin to report net income.”

 

“Our strategic plan to build the Company’s business through selective acquisitions, as well as expansion of existing service components, continues to progress.  Integral to this plan is a reduction of cash and non-cash interest expenses burdening our bottom line financial performance.  Reduction of our debt will also help us to generate additional capacity for funding future acquisitions with a more flexible balance of debt and equity.  Alternatives presently under consideration to eliminate as much of the $1.9 million of interest expense incurred this past year are a secondary offering of common stock, a conversion of a portion of long term notes to common stock or a combination of both.  We will pursue these initiatives in the coming months, with the actual timing of any transactions naturally dependent upon our financial performance as well as general market conditions.”

 

“We have confidence in energy products distribution and related services business sectors and believe that the Company will play an important role in its future growth.  Our optimism is grounded in the ability of our management team to achieve the objectives of our success driven business plan and our understanding of the opportunities before us.”

 

The financial impact of the expenses for the Shank Services acquisition and the corporate infrastructure initiatives on the Company’s results for the year ended June 30, 2005 are summarized in the following table for clarification:

 

Non-GAAP Measure Reconciliation – Shank Services Acquisition and Corporate Infrastructure Expenses

 

 

 

 

 

Amount

 

Percentage

 

Loss, not including expenses directly related to the

  Shank  Services acquisition and write-off of

  accounting and information software

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

 

 

 

462,000

 

 

 

 

31.7%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Expenses related to the Shank Services acquisition

  and integration:

 

 

 

 

 

 

         Accelerated depreciation expense related to excess

             equipment abandonment for acquisition

             re-routing integration

 

 

297,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

         General and administrative expenses

 

125,000

 

 

 

 

         Integration administrative costs

 

40,000

 

 

 

 

                                                                           Sub-total

 

462,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

         Interest expense and amortization for

             January 2005 Notes

 

 

372,000

 

 

834,000

 

 

57.1%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accelerated depreciation expense and write-off 

  of accounting and information software for

  changes in technology infrastructure

 

 

 

 

 

 

164,000

 

 

 

11.2%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss

 

 

$

1,460,000

 

100%

 

 

Additional selected information covering the Company’s financial position and performance is set forth in the following tables:

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET

 

                                                                  (All amounts in thousands of dollars)

 

 

June 30,

2005

 

June 30,

2004

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

     Current assets

$

19,392

$

11,584

 

     Property, plant and equipment, net

 

9,555

 

7,602

 

     Other assets, net

 

1,178

 

832

 

 

$

30,125

$

20,018

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

     Current liabilities

$

13,531

$

9,112

 

     Long-term debt, net

 

9,756

 

5,558

 

     Stockholders’ equity

 

6,838

 

5,348

 

 

$

30,125

$

20,108

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WORKING CAPITAL

$

5,861

$

2,472

 

 

 

SELECTED INCOME STATEMENT AND FINANCIAL DATA

 

                                    (All amounts in thousands of dollars, except share and volume data)

 

Three-Month Periods Ended

Twelve-Month Periods Ended

 

(Unaudited)

(Unaudited)

 

 

6/30/2005

 

6/30/2004

 

6/30/2005

 

6/30/2004

 

 

 

 

 

Total revenues

 

43,527

 

26,539

 

135,166

 

89,997

Gross profit

 

2,302

 

1,426

 

6,588

 

4,298

Operating income 1

 

384

 

314

 

443

 

661

Net loss

 

(225)

 

(57)

 

(1,460)

 

(698)

EBITDA 1, 2, 5

 

766

 

635

 

2,278

 

1,983

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic and  diluted net  loss per share

 

(0.03)

 

(0.01)

 

(0.19)

 

(0.10)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic and diluted weighted average shares outstanding

 

 

8,859,375

 

 

7,300,548

 

 

7,857,434

 

 

7,261,372

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization 3

 

382

 

322

 

1,835

 

1,320

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gallons sold in thousands

 

20,077

 

14,261

 

66,427

 

54,594

Average net margin per gallon (in cents) 4

 

13.1

 

11.9

 

12.1

 

9.9

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                       

                  

1 Includes in the twelve-month period ended 6/30/2004, a $757,000 gain on extinguishment of debt during the first quarter ended  9/30/2003

2 Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization

3 Depreciation and amortization included in cost of sales was $323,000, $277,000, $1,467,000 and $1,130,000 for the respective periods

4 Net margin per gallon equals gross profit plus cost of sales depreciation and amortization divided by number of gallons sold

5 See non-GAAP measure EBITDA Reconciliation Table as follows:

 

Non-GAAP Measure Reconciliation - EBITDA Reconciliation Table

 

 

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

 

 

6/30/2005

 

6/30/2004

Increase

(Decrease)

Increase

(Decrease)

 

6/30/2005

 

6/30/2004

Increase

(Decrease)

Increase

(Decrease)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss

(225)

(57)

(168)

(295)%

(1,460)

(698)

(762)

(109)%

A   Add back:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    Interest, net

609

370

239

65 %

1,903

1,361

542

40  %

    Depreciation and

        amortization:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    Cost of sales

323

277

46

17 %

1,467

1,130

337

30  %

    Sales, general,

        and administrative

 

59

 

45

 

14

 

31 %

 

368

 

190

 

178

 

94  %

EBITDA

766

635

131

21 %

2,278